Graphic Design Senior Showcase

Graphic design seniors are showcasing their graduation projects at the Command X (Cmd X) exhibition, currently on display at the Sharjah Gallery in AUC New Cairo, tackling themes on cultural heritage, gender equality and environmental protection while offering viable solutions through art. This is the 10^th class of graphic design students to graduate from AUC since the program’s inception in 2011.

Cmd X is a computer shortcut used when cutting an item out of one environment and placing it in another. “In the case of our exhibition, the term carries several meanings,” said Bahia Shehab (MA ’09), professor of practice, curator of this year’s exhibition and one of the faculty supervisors for the student projects. “It symbolizes the conclusion or ‘cut’ of their time in academia and the end of this chapter in their educational journey, marking their transition from students to professionals. The X is also a Roman numeral highlighting a decade of graphic design graduates from AUC. ‘Command’ signifies their leadership role in the field of design, empowered to innovate, inspire and effect positive change.”

“Many of the projects developed by the students serve as great educational tools for courses that engage with topics of sustainability, cultural heritage, feminism, social justice and equality,. Exhibitions are important educational spaces and we want our community to use them as such.” 

The show is curated in five thematic clusters reflecting pressing concerns developed by students: “Fragile Equality,” with projects on cultural heritage preservation and gender equality; "Land,” celebrating the beauty of our natural environment as well as the resilience and loss of cultural heritage for communities fighting displacement while highlighting the dangers ahead; “Techno Shaabi,” which highlights Egyptian vernacular street culture in music, fashion and design; “Wholeness,” focusing on design solutions for physical and mental health while advocating for holistic well-being within different communities; and “Threads and Identity,” exploring and critiquing fashion, culture and gender perception and representation. 

“Many of the projects developed by the students serve as great educational tools for courses that engage with topics of sustainability, cultural heritage, feminism, social justice and equality,” said Shehab. “Exhibitions are important educational spaces and we want our community to use them as such.” 

Throughout their years of study, graphic design students develop various conceptual, technical and professional skills that prepare them for their senior year, which is comprised of a semester dedicated to research and a semester to develop their final projects. This year’s projects were supervised by faculty members Ahmad Saqfalhait, Bahia Shehab, Brenda Segone, Jochen Braun and Nagla Samir.

As the faculty supervisors put it, students choosing their topics is key: “If they’re passionate about the environment, or they care about accessibility for people with disabilities, if they are fascinated by music from a different era or they want to preserve the history or knowledge of a certain community that is endangered, these aspirations and hopes are reflected in their final projects. ... We hope that their work inspires you to embrace innovation, champion diversity and strive for a brighter, more inclusive future.”

Open to the public, the exhibition is running every day from 9 am to 4 pm (except weekends). Planned visits can be arranged in July and August by contacting Shehab. The exhibition will open again throughout September.

Student projects:

• Menawar Ya Arousa: Mama’s Tips for a Successful Marriage
• Alexandria Diaries: A Publication Remembering Alexandria’s Cosmopolitan Heritage
• Aziza’s Diaries: A Gamified Petition Empowering Voices Against Flawed Spousal Violence Laws in Egypt
• Aref, the Birdie 3aref el 3asfour? A Children’s Bilingual Tale of Moral Growth
• Bloom and Breathe: An AUC Garden Publication Enhancing Well-Being and Awareness
• Plastic Promises: n Expository Awareness Campaign About Greenwashing and Unsustainable Consumption
• ZooVolution: Unveil the Impact of Zoos on Ecosystem Disruption and Animal Welfare Through a Videogame Experience 
• The Courtyard: An Audio-Visual Publication Documenting Syrian Lullabies 
• Unveiling Egypt’s Water Crisis: An Information Design Publication Investigating the Root Causes of Egypt’s Water Scarcity
• The House Key: Typographic Posters Featuring Arabic Poetry that Celebrates Palestine
• Sirbal: A Survival Kit Preserving the Bedouin Culture Through Navigation, Herbs and Shelter
• ECO’haus: Sustainable Fashion Brand  
• Egypt’s Vessel of Memories: A Publication that Documents Egyptian Cassette Tape Heritage
• Cairo’s Lost Architectural Heritage: Exploring Forgotten Demolished Buildings and Spaces to Preserve Cairo’s Unique Cultural Identity
• Gerba: Crafting Contemporary Statement Bags Inspired by Saudi Culture
• Beyond the Boulder: Guidebook Series Designing Wadi Gnai’s Bouldering Experience
• Etbaa Alsilk: A Project Introducing and Exploring Experimental Silk-Screen Prints
• Happy Egyptian? An Infograph Highlighting Initiators of Happiness in Egypt
• Street Royalty - Melouk El Share3: Egyptian Streetwear and the Colloquial Identity
• Memorebekya: An Interactive Storybook and Digital Archive that Reconnects People with the Preloved Possessions in Modern-Day Monarchy Egypt